North Bay Business Journal

HEALDSBURG — Santa Rosa-based Climate Protection Campaign is hosting a forum this week for the local wine industry on the impact the proposed Sonoma Clean Power agency could have on their businesses.

Commercial real estate broker Burt Polson, who has operated ACRES Real Estate Services in Napa for two decades, is joining Strong & Hayden Commercial Real Estate. …

Stellar Energy, based in Rohnert Park, hired Chris Larsen as director of southeast project development. …

Kurt Hahn was honored for 15 years of service to Healdsburg District Hospital after he announced his retirement and resignation from the board. …

Chris Call recently joined the board of the Santa Rosa-based Climate Protection Campaign as treasurer. …

The California Parenting Institute board of directors welcomed five new board members. …

Sausalito-based Equilibrium named Pal Storehaug as its vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. …

Rack & Riddle, a Hopland winery and custom-crush facility, hired Raphael Brisbois as director of winemaking to lead the production of client and branded wines. …

Signorello Estate appointed Britny Sundin estate chef. …

Soutirage hired Master Sommelier Desmond Echavarrie as senior wine advisor. …

The Hess Collection, which has a winery in American Canyon, appointed Illinois-based Jeanne Jesse as north central regional sales manager. …

Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards in Sonoma Valley named Robert Hawk as Great Lakes regional manager. …

The board of directors of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission announced that Karissa Kruse will be its next president, replacing Nick Frey as he retires. …

SANTA ROSA — The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to create an initial governing authority for a proposed countywide renewable energy-focused power agency known as Sonoma Clean Power, a step needed before determining rates to charge potential customers when service is targeted to begin in early 2014.

SANTA ROSA — Greenhouse-gas emissions have continued a three-year downward trend in Sonoma County, primarily reduced by fewer vehicle trips in a slowed economy and a greater supply of renewable energy, according to a report released today.

Click here for photo gallery Banking and Finance Wayne Hoffer has been unanimously promoted to senior vice president by the Summit State Bank (NASDAQ: SSBI) Board of Directors. Mr. Hoffer has 35 years of lending and banking experience, and has worked for Summit State Bank for the past six years as a commercial loan officer. [...]

SONOMA COUNTY — Efforts to create a renewable energy-focused power agency in Sonoma County will reach a significant milestone on April 10 as the county’s water agency board votes on whether to begin work on a comprehensive business plan that will chart a future for the endeavor.

This report highlights 46 North Bay professionals in various fields who have been leading development and implementation of environmentally sustainable technologies, such as solar electric and geothermal energy, erosion control for better stream water quality and energy-efficient construction.

Also: Windsor project sees vegetable gardens, olive trees, electric cars

Send People items to the North Bay Business Journal, Attn: Business Register, 427 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401; fax 707-521-5292; or e-mail news@busjrnl.com.

NORTH BAY — The PG&E-backed Proposition 16 “Right to Vote” initiative is generating widespread debate among public and business groups.

The 31 people selected here for the Business Journal’s first Who’s Who in Green Industries are widely recognized as being among the pioneers and visionaries in an industry that today includes many hundreds if not thousands of creative professionals.

SANTA ROSA – Former Sebastopol City Manager Dave Brennan has come out of retirement to help coordinate efforts by Sonoma County governments to meet looming deadlines for reducing greenhouse gases.

Sonoma County – The strategic economic plan for Sonoma County is ready to go into action. Developed by the Sonoma County Innovation Council during 2008, the plan was approved by county supervisors on Jan. 13.

SONOMA COUNTY – An ambitious plan to bring 1,000 electric-powered vehicles to the county starting next year could get rolling as early as this summer if the many moving components mesh.